IPL 2013 LIVE: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors

Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the IPL Match 31 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India from M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. SCORECARD | CRICKET FEST 6

11.3 overs: SIX!!Chris Gayle gets forward and thumps it over long off for the maximum.

The previous fastest hundred in the Indian T20 league was scored by Yusuf Pathan against Mumbai in the 2010 season. He scored it off 37 balls.

The big Jamaican left-hander has gone berserk, but one has to question Finch's captaincy. He and his bowlers kept on feeding Gayle to his strength, not that much could have been done with Gayle in this mood.

8.5 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle has rocketed this one out of the park for a mammoth 112-metre six to bring up his century. His 30-ball century with eight fours and 11 sixes is the fastest feat in the history of IPL. Also, the 112-metre hit is now the biggest six in the tournament this season. What an innings he's played!!

7.5 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle gets forward and lifts it nonchalantly over wide long on for a maximum.

7.3 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle goes across and swings it over the midwicket for another cracking shot. He's on FIRE!!

7.2 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle gets forward and thumps it high and way over long on for a biggie.

6.2 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle gets across and swings it over mid-wicket for the maximum.

Ali Murtaza comes into the attack for Pune Warriors.

4.6 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle has smashed it back over long off for the fourth six in the over. He has also notched up his fifty in just 17 deliveries. This is the fastest half-century in the IPL this season.

4.5 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle has thumped it back over the sightscreen for yet another biggie.

4.3 overs: FOUR!! Chris Gayle makes room and cuts it hard over point for a boundary.

4.2 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle leans forward and lofts it up and over cover for another six.

4.1 overs: SIX!! Chris Gayle gets forward and lifts it over long on, deep into the stands for a six.

3.4 overs: FOUR!! Tillakaratne Dilshan plays with an open face and guides it in the gap between point and cover point for a boundary.

1.6 overs: FOUR!! Chris Gayle gets well forward and thumps it over mid-off for a boundary.

1.4 overs: FOUR!! Chris Gayle clears his left-leg and clips it behind square for a boundary.

1.4 overs: No-Ball FOUR!! Chris Gayle helps it past the wicket-keeper for a boundary. Ishwar Pandey overstepped to make it worse.

It will still be a full 20 overs a side game, no overs will be lost. Live visuals show that sun has peeked over the stadium. Strange weather here in Bangalore, as always.

Good news: All the covers are off, the stumps are back in place, we are all set for the resumption. We might have a restart in 10 minutes time.

Bad news: The rain has got a bit heavier. The umpires are quick to ask the players to go off the field. The covers are being brought in. Hopefully, it will be just a passing shower.

1.2 overs: FOUR!! Chris Gayle stands tall and crashes the short of the length delivery past point for a boundary.

1.1 overs: FOUR!! Chris Gayle bends his knees and drives it sweetly through extra cover for a boundary. What a WELCOME for Ishwar Pandey!!

Ishwar Pandey comes into the attack for Pune Warriors India. He is on his first stint in the Indian Premier League.

Tidy start by Bhuvneshar Kumar, just three runs off the first over.

A few drops of rain at the ground. But, nothing serious though.

Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan are the crease for Royal Challengers Bangalore while Bhuvneshwar Kumar will open the attack for Pune Warriors India.

Toss: Pune Warriors India have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Players to watch out for from Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Chris Gayle: Arguably the most devastating contemporary batsman, Gayle is the first player to score a century in international Twenty20 cricket; the only man to score seven or more tons in the Twenty20 format; and is the leading six-hitter in Twenty20s. With 1,804 runs in matches in his IPL career, Gayle has been the backbone of RCB's batting. The left-hander has been the top-scorer in IPL for two consecutive years(2011 and 2012).

Virat Kohli: The newly-appointed captain of the RCB, Virat Kohli, is one of the finest batsmen in the world today. The 24-year-old is the quintessential new-age cricketer who plays his game aggressively and is unafraid to express his emotions on the field. The right-hander has been explosive for RCB with 1, 639 runs in 77 matches during his IPL career. He was the second-highest run scorer in 2011 season behind his teammate Gayle. Kohli is also a good fielder and can bowl the occasional medium pace spell too.

Sadeep Warrier: The 21-year-old unknown cricketer from Kerala has been a livewire in the Indian domestic cricket. The right-arm medium-fast bowler shot to fame after taking 22 wickets in a mere five matches for Kerala in the Ranji Trophy. After being called up the BCCI to bowl at the Indian batsmen in nets, the young speedster managed to impress Virat Kohli - who asked RCB to sign him with immediate effect.

AB de Villiers: The South-African wicket-keeper batsman has made a name for himself with his game changing abilities in the world of cricket. The 29-year-old cricketer has scored 1,302 runs in 60 matches during his IPL career. He can role-play himself as a finisher, middle-order batsman or even as a pinch hitter. During the 2012 season when playing the role of a finisher, he snatched wins out of the jaws of defeat. He unearthed some outrageous shots to incredible effect and in one over, smashed Dale Steyn for 23 - two fours and sixes each - to win RCB a thriller.

Players to watch out for from Pune Warriors India:

Robin Uthappa: The 27-year-old explosive batsman was the top run-scorer for Pune with 405 runs in 16 matches last season. He is an outstanding fielder, a reliable wicketkeeper and can even bowl slow medium pace.

Parveez Rasool: The 24-year-old off-break spinner will make his debut in the IPL this season. He was the leading run-scorer and the highest wicket-taker for J&K in the Ranji Trophy 2012-13 season. He shot to fame with his bowling spell of 7/45 against Australia in a warm-up game at Chennai this year.

Yuvraj Singh: The left-hander is no stranger to the T20 touranament. Despite going through a bad form, Yuvi is clean striker of the ball and a match-winner to have in your squad. He should strike into form if Pune intends to add silverware in their trophy cabinet this year.

Steven Smith: The 23-year-old Australian all-rounder was a run-machine for Pune last season. He was the second highest run-scorer for Pune with 362 runs in 15 matches last season. He resumes duty for Pune with superb form that was showcased against India in the recent Test series.